MyChild Card

The MyChild Card is a health card based on Smart Paper Technology^TM that allows written information to be scanned and uploaded onto a secure server by health workers for digitation. The MyChild Card is kept with the parents or guardians and allows follow up on vaccination status, nutritional status, growth and development from birth to five years of age.

Each card possesses a unique identifier which is assigned to each newborn child. Experts note that although the child is referred to by a unique ID, there is still sensitive information (e.g HIV status) that is recorded and therefore the data needs to be well secured in order to avoid any possible re-identification risk of a child from anonymous information.The card consists of three sections: educational information for parents, registration forms for nurses to record preventative health service information (dates of vaccinations, weight, etc.), and slips that can be scanned in order to digitize the information. The slips are brought to scanning stations based at district hospitals and district health offices where slips are scanned thus updating the electronic health record for each child. Over 100 indicators are generated using the digitized information which can be sent to key regional and country stakeholders as a report via PDF, email, web, or existing health management information systems (e.g. DHIS2).

Because the product can be paper-based for certain settings, there is risk for it to be lost. This problem could potentially be addressed if those that periodically fetch the new cards to be scanned can return with a (password protected or encrypted) copy of the records to update the offline database in the clinic.

The electronic medical history enables parents/guardians to receive SMS reminders and individual follow-up on a child’s vaccination schedule. Internet connectivity is required at the health facility for registration and follow-up. Storage and synchronisation of patient data and statistics is done with a cloud server that is provided to the health centers by Shifo.

A representative from Shifo is sent to regions new to MyChild to help facilitate implementation during the beginning months. Shifo provides implementation support for the first five years. Continuous local technical support is required to maintain the MyChild system. Training is provided for healthcare personnel to increase computer literacy.

In order to contact them write an email by using the bottom part of the mail website.

The MyChild Card can be used by a parent or guardian for their child from birth to five years of age. Canon scanners, which is the typical scanner brand that is used for the system, have a lifetime of 7-10 years.^{Interview with representative}

MyChild was found to increase the efficiency of registering children and providing health services at health centers by 119%. MyChild was also found to reduce the time spent on reporting and administration tasks at the health center level from 50-60% to 10% per day, which translates to the equivalent of one extra employee at each health facility.

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